N13864:589
A history of the work of redemption. Containing the outlines of a body of…
A history of the work of redemption. Containing the outlines of a body of divinity, in a method entirely new. / By the late Reverend Mr. Jonathan Edwards, president of the College of New Jersey[.]
Boston: printed by Draper & Folsom, 1782
A HISTORY Of the WORK of REDEMPTION. › Period 2 › IMPROVEMENT. › Section 1
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
III. What has been said on this subject, affords matter of reproof to those who carelessly neglected the salvation of Christ; such as live a senseless kind of life, neglecting the business of religion and their own souls for the present, not taking any course to get an interest in Christ, or what he has done and suffered, or any part in that glorious salvation he has purchased by that price, but rather have their minds taken up about the gains of the world, or about the vanities and pleasures of youth, and so make light of what they hear from time to time of Christ's salvation, that they do not at present so much as seek after it. Let me here apply myself to you in some expostulatory interrogations.
1. Shall so many prophets, and kings, and righteous men have, their minds so much taken up with the prospect, that the purchase of salvation was to be wrought out in ages long after their death; and will you neglect it when actually accomplished? You have heard what great account the church in all ages made of the future redemption of Christ: how joyfully they expected it▪ how they spoke of it, how they studied and searched into these things, how they sung joyful songs, and had their hearts greatly engaged about it, and yet never expected to see it done, and did not expect that it would be accomplished till many ages after their death, 1. Pet. 11.11.12. How much did Isaiah and Daniel, and other prophets, ⟨p. 168⟩speak concerning this redemption! How much were their hearts engaged, and their attention and study fixed upon it! How was David's mind taken up in in this subject! He declared that it was all his salvation, and all his de•i•e; 2 Sam. xxiii.5. How did he employ his voice and harp in celebrating it, and the glorious display of divine grace therein exhibited! and all this although' they beheld i• not as yet accomplished, but saw that it was to be brought to pass so long a time after their day —Before this, how did Abraham and the other patriarchs rejoice in the prospect of Christ's day, and the redemption which he was to purchase! Even the saints before the […] were affected and elated in the expectation of this glorious event, though it was then so long future, and it was so very […] and obscurely revealed to them.